Scots have delivered a damning verdict on Alex Salmond’s performance as leader
of the independence campaign in a Times poll which shows that 45 per
cent believe he is the wrong man for the job. Only about a third of voters
think the first minister was the right choice to front the fight for a “yes”
vote in next month’s referendum. Even among supporters of separation, he has
only 57 per cent backing.

Our exclusive YouGov poll also shows that trust in Mr Salmond — whose
performance in the first TV debate was heavily criticised — has declined
since YouGov last polled